Dermot O’Leary’s New Venture: From The X Factor to Family, Now Searching for the UK’s Most Musical Family

Dermot O’Leary, the beloved British-Irish broadcaster who captivated audiences as the host of The X Factor for over a decade, is making a triumphant return to the talent show arena with a fresh, family-focused twist. After stepping back from prime-time television to embrace fatherhood and launch a 90s-inspired music school, the 51-year должна broadcaster is now spearheading a new ITV show, tentatively titled The UK’s Most Musical Family. This innovative program aims to uncover the nation’s most musically gifted households, celebrating the power of family bonds and shared creativity. In a heartwarming twist, O’Leary has revealed that his own family—wife Dee Koppang and five-year-old son Kasper—will participate, adding a deeply personal stake to the venture. This move marks a bold evolution for O’Leary, blending his television expertise with his passion for music and his newfound perspective as a dad.

A Return to Talent TV with a Family Spin

O’Leary’s career has been defined by his ability to connect with audiences, from his early days on Channel 4’s T4 to his iconic tenure on The X Factor (2007–2018, with a brief hiatus in 2015). His warm charisma and knack for navigating live TV made him a household name, earning him two National Television Award nominations for Most Popular Entertainment Presenter. After scaling back his role on ITV’s This Morning—where he co-hosts with Alison Hammond—and focusing on his BBC Radio 2 shows, including Alternative Sounds of the 90s, O’Leary seemed content with a quieter spotlight. However, whispers of a new project began circulating in early 2025, fueled by posts on X hinting at a “big ITV comeback.”

The UK’s Most Musical Family is that comeback, a talent competition with a unique premise: instead of solo stars, it seeks families who create music together, from sibling duos to multi-generational bands. The show, set to air in late 2025 or early 2026, will feature families performing original songs or covers, judged on harmony, creativity, and their shared story. “It’s about the magic that happens when families make music,” O’Leary teased in a recent Radio 2 segment, citing inspirations like The Partridge Family and The Von Trapps. The format promises to blend the emotional pull of The X Factor with the communal spirit of shows like Britain’s Got Talent, tapping into the universal appeal of family unity.

Fans have already taken to X with excitement, posting, “Dermot back on a talent show? And with his family? I’m sold!” and “This is like X Factor but wholesome—can’t wait to see Kasper steal the show.” The show’s focus on families aligns with O’Leary’s recent ventures, particularly his 90s-inspired music school in East London, where his son Kasper is the symbolic “first student.” That project, rooted in nurturing young talent, seems to have laid the groundwork for this TV return, merging O’Leary’s love for music education with his broadcasting roots.

The O’Leary Family Takes the Stage

The most captivating element of The UK’s Most Musical Family is O’Leary’s decision to enter his own family as contestants. Dermot, Dee, and Kasper—potentially joined by extended relatives like O’Leary’s Irish parents, Seán and Maria, now based in Wexford—will compete alongside other families, putting their musical chops to the test. While details of their act remain under wraps, O’Leary has hinted at a “90s-infused” performance, possibly drawing on his radio show’s playlist of Oasis, Nirvana, and The Prodigy. “Kasper’s got a mean drum solo,” he joked on This Morning, adding, “Dee’s the real talent, but I’m not bad with a tambourine.”

This family involvement is a bold move, exposing O’Leary’s private life in a way he’s historically avoided. Married to TV director Dee Koppang since 2012, O’Leary has kept their son Kasper, born in June 2020, largely out of the public eye, sharing only occasional glimpses on social media. Dee, a powerhouse behind shows like The Crown and Bridgerton, brings her own creative heft, while Kasper’s love of music—evident in his toy drum sessions—adds a charming wildcard. The decision to compete reflects O’Leary’s desire to model the show’s ethos: “If we’re asking families to be vulnerable, we’ve got to do it too,” he reportedly told ITV executives.

Social media is buzzing with speculation about the O’Leary family’s performance. One X post imagined, “Kasper on drums, Dee on vocals, Dermot doing Blur covers—iconic.” Another fan wrote, “Dermot’s parents are Irish hurling legends, so they’re probably dropping folk tunes.” Seán, a former hurling star with Wexford’s Faythe Harriers, and Maria, who instilled a love of Irish music in Dermot, could bring a Celtic flair, tying into O’Leary’s heritage, which he explored in his 2024 ITV series Dermot’s Taste of Ireland. Their participation would also resonate with the show’s theme of multi-generational talent, especially given Seán’s 2014 Seana Ghael Award for contributions to Wexford GAA.

From Fatherhood to Showmanship

O’Leary’s journey into fatherhood has profoundly shaped this project. Kasper’s birth during the 2020 pandemic was a “blessing” amid “grim” times, O’Leary told The Irish Times, giving him time to bond at home in London’s Primrose Hill. His experiences as a dad—chronicled in candid moments on his podcast People, Just People—have softened his public persona, making him more open about family and legacy. “Fatherhood changes how you see everything,” he said on This Morning in 2023, reflecting on balancing his career with raising Kasper. This Astute observers have noted that this mirrors O’Leary’s own shift from the high-pressure world of The X Factor to projects with personal meaning, like his music school and now The UK’s Most Musical Family.

This new show also reflects O’Leary’s lifelong passion for music, rooted in his days as a DJ at Essex Radio and XFM, where he spun indie rock before joining BBC Radio 2 in 2004. His Alternative Sounds of the 90s show, launched in 2022, showcases his encyclopedic knowledge of the era, which will likely influence the new program’s vibe. The music school, with its focus on 90s-inspired creativity and scholarships for underprivileged youth, was a precursor to this TV venture, emphasizing accessibility and passion over polish. “I want kids—and families—to feel what I felt listening to Nevermind for the first time,” O’Leary said on Radio 2, a sentiment that underpins both projects.

Cultural Impact and Industry Buzz

The UK’s Most Musical Family arrives at a time when nostalgia for the 90s is at a fever pitch, fueled by reunions of bands like Oasis and docuseries on Netflix. O’Leary’s show taps into this while addressing a modern craving for authentic, family-driven storytelling, offering a counterpoint to the solo-star focus of The X Factor. Industry insiders see it as a savvy move for ITV, which has struggled to replace X Factor’s cultural footprint since its 2018 finale. “Dermot’s the perfect host—trusted, relatable, and a music nerd,” a producer told The Mirror. “This could be ITV’s next big thing.”

Fans are equally enthusiastic, with X posts predicting, “Dermot’s gonna make us cry watching families sing together,” and “This is the wholesome content we need in 2025.” The show’s inclusive ethos—welcoming families of all backgrounds, from amateur strummers to seasoned performers—mirrors O’Leary’s charity work with Barnardo’s, Make Poverty History, and Everyman’s male cancer awareness campaign. His 2015 Comic Relief dance marathon and 2014 “go commando” stunt for testicular cancer awareness show his knack for connecting causes to entertainment, a skill he’ll likely bring to the show.

Challenges and Expectations

The show faces hurdles, including standing out in a crowded TV landscape and avoiding the manufactured drama of past talent shows. O’Leary’s insistence on authenticity—evident in his X Factor days, where he refused to be a “traffic cop” for Simon Cowell—will be key. He’s reportedly pushing for minimal scripting and real emotional moments, drawing on his experience with live events like the BRIT Awards and Soccer Aid. Casting his own family also raises the stakes, risking accusations of nepotism, though fans seem to view it as endearing. “If Dermot’s family flops, it’ll be hilarious TV,” one X user quipped, while another countered, “They’ll win hearts, not just votes.”

ITV’s investment suggests confidence, with rumors of a prime-time slot and a judging panel that might include music legends or even X Factor alumni like Leona Lewis. The show’s format, blending competition with documentary-style storytelling, could appeal to streaming platforms like ITVX, expanding its reach. O’Leary’s Radio 2 audience, accustomed to his music passion, will likely cross over, while his 1.2 million Instagram followers offer a built-in fanbase.

Looking Ahead

As O’Leary prepares to launch The UK’s Most Musical Family, he’s balancing it with his Radio 2 duties and occasional This Morning appearances, though sources say TV commitments are now secondary. The music school, still in development, will complement the show, with some contestants reportedly invited to workshops there. Kasper, now a precocious five-year-old, remains a driving force, with O’Leary joking on This Morning, “He’s already demanding a dressing room.”

This venture cements O’Leary’s evolution from X Factor showman to a cultural curator, using his platform to celebrate family, music, and legacy. Whether the O’Learys take home the title or not, Dermot’s return to talent TV promises to be a love letter to the UK’s unsung musicians—and a testament to the Irish Essex lad who never forgot his roots. As one X fan put it, “Dermot’s about to make every family in Britain pick up a guitar. Legend.”